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Speaker cable and brightness control

I'm not new to the Hi Fi world but have gradually developed a hearing issue over the last 10 years that makes me very sensitive to bright, medium to high volume sounds. I have used electrostats for the last 25+ years and it was explained in another forum how the diminishing impedance attendant with increasing frequency can accentuate the perceived "shrillness". This suggestion makes sense to me. So you have some idea of my starting point, my present system consists of the following: Shanling S100 solid state CD player, California Audio Lab tube based DAC, Rogue Audio Sphinx hybrid amp and bi-wired Martin Logan Odyssey speakers.

It was also pointed out that an amplifier with a tube based output stage could improve my situation and I believe that would probably help but, for the same reason that I'm sticking with my ML's, I really can't afford the expense.

This leads me to my question regarding speaker conductors. The varying opinions and arguments on this subject are wide and often contradictory with some saying that there is no difference between the various options, to one self proclaimed audiophile commenting that if you can't hear the difference, you should get out of the hobby. On one hand, I suspect that some differences are measurable but to say that they are so obvious that one should abandon the hobby if one is unable to tell the difference is absurd. In a previous post I pointed out that I seem to be one of those unable to detect differences after comparing a pair of borrowed $5000 cables to my own which would be considered adequate by most standards.

Disregarding these arguments, I would like to know if there are some general guidelines for objective and measurable qualities of speaker cables such as construction material, solid or wound, length, etc. that would give one a starting point in an attempt address individual listening tastes. In my case the goal would be toward reducing brilliance while maintaining detail. I suppose this would interpret to a warmer presentation which some refer to as vacuum tube sound. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
128x128broadstone
joseph796
54 posts
 
I have a similar hearing issue and have a two word answer that will solve your cabling requirements - Acoustic Revive. If this does not work, it is your equipment, not your cables
mechans
3,048 posts
 
There are cables which can tame brightness. They are all copper no silver plating and the copper is made by this specific company with a lot of Golden this and thats as a hint, since we are trying to be objective. Also as a tubophile I can tell you the British tubes usually but not allways deliver a softer sound at the top of there frequency cut offs. All Copper lots of dielectric and European Tubes thats all you need to do after changing the rest of your gear. (just kidding...well er.. maybe..)
truman
167 posts
 
Given your price constraints, I'd try buying a used, middle of the road price-wise audioquest digital cable. See if that doesn't help before proceeding with expensive tubes. Your other components seem adequate. Digital is the fastest still-evolving arena but having heard a CAL, I don't think that's your problem. Cables do matter, especially when they're bad. Today's cables are better, especially digital. Then, turn it down. You don't want to be working on tinnitus.
truman
167 posts
 
Another thought....maybe the Martin Logan's are the problem, in that most electrostatic type speakers do need to be a bit "cranked" to sound good, not so hot at low volumes, so you've been developing hearing problems by, again, listening too loudly. If you've already got hearing problems you need to be headed in this direction (lower volumes) anyway. Try a more efficient speaker (borrow one) like a Tannoy, Living Voice, Reference 3MM De Capo, even Meadowlark Shearwater to see if that doesn't help.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks again. I already listen at relatively low volumes and always have, especially given the type of music that I mostly listen to. Coincidentally, that is the precise advice given to me today by my local dealer and advisor. He said that trying to solve the issues re my hyperacusis by any other means than a reduction of volume, might not be a realistic goal.

I agree that the ML's could be a contributing cause primarily because of the diminishing impedance attending increasingly higher frequencies. For a while I was advertising a desire to trade them for more efficient ones but got little response.

I auditioned a pair of Canalis Anima bookshelf speakers with my Rogue Audio amp 5 weeks ago and was extremely impressed. With a $3200 price tag, though, they are a bit outside of my financial comfort zone right now, although I will probably buy a pair when I can. In the meantime I researched and purchased a pair of Jamo Concert Eights as a temporary fill in. They are much more efficient and also impressive. Listening to these at low volumes works very well; the detail is wonderful and the base is tight, tight.

I guess what I'm saying is that I agree with you and wish I had gotten/listened to this line of advice before I spent so much time and effort trying to solve the problem by throwing more components and accessories into my system. BTW, I bought the Odysseys 14 years ago which was before the development of my tinnitus / hyperacusis problem and I very much enjoyed them for many years.
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